By
Gideon Arinze from Enugu
Feature
Libraries are the
avant garde of knowledge. They are edifices which house diverse kinds of
facilities to enhance learning and books on a variety of subjects.
Students visit libraries
to prepare for exams or tackle assignment. Researchers equally visit libraries
to undertake researches so as to discover ideas or to expand their knowledge.
To ensure that the
mind is better developed, library environments are usually calm and inviting.
Sadly, a visit to
the Enugu State Central Library located along Ogui road reveals the extent of
decay in the educational sector. The library is a far cry from what a library
should be. The structures are dilapidated and facilities are in a decrepit
state.
The central
library was established for the old Eastern Region by UNESCO in 1958. It was
the first public library in the whole of Africa.
According to the
Acting Director, Enugu State Library Services, Mr. Jude, Offor, the Library at
its inception had enough facilities which enhanced learning and promoted
research. He add: "Then, People were trained outside the country. They
were sponsored to attend workshops and improve their knowledge on diverse
fields." He added that there were lots of books covering virtually
everything subject. As a result, it played host to many individuals who came
around to read.
Now, the story has
changed. The library is no longer what it used to be. The environment looks
deserted, with surrounding bushes and outdated structures. Students hardly come
around to read as the façade alone serves as a disincentive.
Inside the library
are antiquated chairs and tables. Some of them are spoilt thus making it
uncomfortable for users.
Everywhere looks
cramped up and the ventilation systems are not working. When there are examinations
and the number of students increase, it becomes hell studying inside the
library. As a result, most students resort to reading insert trees.
A look at the
shelves leaves much to be desired as they are scarcely equipped. There are no
current books on different subjects. Instead what you find are books of the
1950s, 60s, the 70s and the 80s.
According to one
of the users, Franklin Igwe, the library is unorganized and lacks books on
several topics
"I have come
here severally to make research on financial management but I could not find
anything related." he said.
Unfortunately,
because of the dearth of textbooks on different subjects, most users come to
the library with their books to study.
In the words of
one of Nigeria"s foremost publisher, Muhtar Bakari said, "people who
could read would read if you make literature affordable and available to them.”
Most of the
offices visited had ceilings, yet water penetrates and disturbs the workers.
Some have refrigerators which are not functional.
Amaka Okwuiyi is a
staff at the central Library. She could not hide her displeasure with the
present state of the library.
According to her,
the library is faced with lots of challenges. "We don't have light here.
There is no water. There are no functioning ventilation system," she said.
The malaise
according to Mr. offor is attributed to governments lukewarm attitude towards
the library.
"We are under
parastatals and not ministries. So, we receive subvention which we channel to
the payment of our workers instead of channelling them to other needs"
"Currently,
some workers are owed a backlog of subvention of seven years amounting to about
50 million" The retirees are not spared the ordeal as they are owed allowance
of about N45 million." He said.
Consequent upon
this is the dearth of workers due to backlog of salary to be paid, hence there
are vacant offices.
With the
significant leap in information and communication technology, most libraries
now operate e- library which guarantees easy access to information.
But in the Enugu State
Central Library, such is not obtained as there are no working computers
The South Eastern
states libraries which took off from Enugu operate e- library service. A feat
that is laudable.
According to Mr.
Offor "The ten computers presently in the library were donated by the WAWA
women in Texas USA". It is part of efforts to awaken the ICT centre which
has not been working" he stated.
The state of the
Library leaves much to be desired and betrays the real essence for which it was
established by UNESCO.
The central
library is located along the road. Surrounding it are bus terminals which have
loud speakers mounted atop tress. At intervals, conductors scream destinations,
thus constituting nuisance.
The library users
and the staff also battle with frequent smells which come from urine and defication
of passersby.
Urgent steps need
to be taken to address the challenges and give the library a facelift to meet the
global standard.
The Akwa Ibon
State Library for instance has digitised and electronic materials that can be
accessed by users through the Online Public Access Catalogue. It houses books
on a wide range of subjects. It also have state-of-the-art video conferencing
hall, e- library facilities among others. That makes learning interesting.
The state government
should ensure that the library is well funded and the structures rebuilt. There
is the need to also make provision for enough textbooks and other facilities
that ease learning.
Workers deserve
better working condition. The government should move them into ministries so
they can be receiving their salaries as and when due.
There is also the
need to partner with Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) and private
individuals who are willing to help uplift the educational system. The Farafina
Trust for instance is a non-profit organisation established to among other
things promote reading culture through the provision of books
According to
Chimamanda Adichie, one of its pioneers, Farafina Trust has dreams of building
libraries, and refinishing libraries that already exist and providing books for
state schools that don't have anything in their libraries.
Knowledge is power
and an informed mind thinks critically. According to Diogene, The foundation of
every state is the education of its youth.
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